Rocco Verster

Pretoria, South Africa

+27-68-114-**** / adw6al@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/rocco-verster-

Career Objective

To utilise a range of culinary skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience as a catalyst for operational excellence and sustainable business growth

Specialist Skills

• Kitchen management

• Food costing

• Menu creation and modification

• Culinary and baking techniques

• Customer service

• Team leadership

• Training and mentoring

• Effective communication

• Strategic planning

• Time management

• Creative problem solving

Qualifications and Certificates

• Culinary Arts Diploma - HITB

• Level 1 Emergency Certificate - Global Emergency

• Professional Chef Diploma - Intec College

• Assessor / Hospitality Diploma - Theta (Southern Sun)

• Basic Safety Training for Cruise Ships - STCW Certificates Demonstrated Abilities

• Skilled and experienced chef with advanced knowledge in culinary and baking techniques

• Strong technical acumen with an excellent understanding of effective systems and processes

• Proven ability to work within the scope of practice to meet organisational objectives, promote departmental efficiency and deliver operational excellence

• Good written and verbal communicator with superior interpersonal, negotiation and liaison skills

• Able to relate to a wide range of people from various cultural, professional, and technical sectors

• Solid analytical aptitude with advanced organisational, problem-solving, and time-management skills

• Safety conscious with strict adherence to health and safety regulations and guidelines

• Able to work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Strong team player with the ability to work unsupervised

• Displaying a high level of professionalism and confidentiality, with meticulous attention to detail IT Skills

• Microsoft Office Suite - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook

• POS Systems (Point of Sale)

• IFF Hospitality

• MXP System

• Fidelio

Professional Memberships

• South African Chefs Association

Work History

Apollo Ship Chandlers / Virgin Voyage Cruises, USA www.theapollogroup.com Cruise ship visiting Bahamas, Mexico, Key West and Miami Chef de Cuisine June 2022 - Current

and

Sun International / The Palace, ZA www.suninternational.com Landmark resort / Five-star hotel

Executive Chef September 2019 - May 2022

and

Serengeti Golf Estate, ZA www.serengeti-estates.co.za Executive Chef July 2017 - August 2019

and

Emoyeni Conference Centre, ZA www.emoyeniestate.co.za Executive Chef November 2013 - June 2017

and

Wiesenhof, ZA www.wiesenhof.co.za

Restaurant franchise

Group Development Executive Chef February 2011 - October 2013 and

Emperor’s Palace, Aurelia’s Restaurant, ZA www.emperorspalace.com Five-star hotel

Executive Chef January 2010 - January 2011

and

Celsius Hospitality, ZA no website

Conference and accommodation facilities in southern Africa Group Executive Chef November 2008 - December 2009 and

Vilosus, ZA no website

Restaurant

Executive Chef January 2007 - October 2008

and

Mediterranean, ZA no website

Seafood restaurant

Executive Chef January 2005 - December 2006

and

Holiday Inn Crown Plaza www.ihg.com/crowneplaza

Hotel

Executive Chef July 2001 - December 2004

Performing all or some of the following duties in all roles with varying levels of responsibility:

• Overseeing daily operations with meticulous attention to detail and a high level of creativity

• Supervising, coaching, training, rostering, motivating, and mentoring personnel, setting clear goals and expectations, providing relevant feedback and discipline as required

• Establishing, implementing, and overseeing effective systems, processes, and controls

• Planning and managing team performance, skills development, talent, and culture to improve innovation, achieve efficiencies and increase competencies

• Reviewing production schedules and internal requisitions

• Monitoring portion control and conducting spot checks

• Conducting daily food tasting and correcting any discrepancies in quality, taste and appearance

• Monitoring the efficiency of service, presentation, and plating on the service line

• Monitoring work and rest hours of all team members

• Conducting menu explanations to restaurant teams prior to service

• Performing as a strong member of a cohesive team with strict adherence to health, safety and statutory regulations, service level agreements, HACCP and USPH quality standards, governance processes and compliance requirements

• Inspecting cleanliness and condition of assigned station and services areas; rectifying any deficiencies

Recent Key Projects

• Government events, 2014 - 2018

• Functions for President Jacob Zuma, 2014 - 2018

• Functions for Mr Thabo Mbeki, 2014 - 2018

• Functions for Mr David Makura, 2014 – 2018

• Launch of MI TV from Hollywood, 2018

• World Cook Tour for Hunger, 2008

• Springbok Rugby Team, 1999 – 2001

• Super 12 Rugby Teams, 1997 – 2001

• Cricket World Cup - West Indies, 2000

Key Achievements

• Awards for national cooking competitions

• Judge of national cooking competitions

• Presentations for national magazines and newspapers

• Launching and demonstrating new catering equipment

• Guest chef at food and wine shows

Referees

Frans Kutumela

+27-79-175-**** / adw6al@r.postjobfree.com

Executive Sous Chef - Sun City /The Palace

Hennie Carstens

+25-575-***-**** / adw6al@r.postjobfree.com General Manager - Celsius Hospitality Services / Holiday Inn Joshia Montsho

+27-83-627-**** / adw6al@r.postjobfree.com General Manager - The Palace

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